Multi-function fishing tool

ABSTRACT

A fishing tool is provided for use in association with the performance of fishing and other similar activities, and more particularly, to a rod-mountable fishing tool exhibiting an integrated aesthetic appearance wherein aesthetic shapes and features also can serve multiple functions associated with tasks typically performed while fishing, such as cutting of lines, nipping of knots, tying of knots, storage of hooks and lines, and other tasks.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional App. Ser.No. 62/867,961, filed Jun. 27, 2019, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a fishing tool for use in association with theperformance of fishing and other similar activities, and moreparticularly, to a rod-mountable fishing tool exhibiting an integratedaesthetic appearance wherein aesthetic shapes and features also canserve multiple functions associated with tasks typically performed whilefishing, such as cutting of lines, nipping of knots and other severablematerials, tying of knots, storage of hooks and lines and other tasks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For individuals who fish or work as fishing guides, various tools suchas knives and scissor like cutters may be used to cut fishing line ornip extra lengths of such fishing line. Often, tying of the knotsbetween the fishing line and a lure is accomplished separate from acutting tool. Further, for storage of tied hooks when not fishing,various methods of storing the hook are employed such as hooking thehook onto an existing line guide mounted to the rod, a hook keepermounted on the rod, or in some cases, embedding the hook into existingrod structure such as a cork handle or other similar material. Notably,some these functions are performed by separate tools and some functionsby structures found on a fishing rod.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fishing tool,which overcomes disadvantages associated with known fishing equipmentand accessories.

The invention creates a more efficient way to keep people fishing andreduce the time it takes to re-rig, ultimately getting customers back towhat they loved to do, fish. Objects of the invention include creatingsomething that was an extension of and a complement to existing gear,did not interfere with the act of fishing, and that never got leftbehind. The multi-function fishing tool of the present invention isdesigned to be a subcompact line management solution taking the place oflarger tools such as knifes, scissors, nippers, etc., which are commonlyused when re-rigging.

The fishing tool as illustrated in the drawings performs multiplefunctions while providing an aesthetically pleasing design, wherein thefunctions include but are not limited to the following features:

SLICE (Like a Knife)—Heavy duty cutting blade makes quick work ofmonofilament, fluorocarbon, copolymer, and braided fishing lines (120IB+). The blade preferably is made of stainless steel and is embedded ina main body, preferably by insertion through a bottom slot formed in themain body and fastening in place by a central bore and dowel pin orother fastener. In one construction, the main body may be 3D printed,although it will be understood that the main body may be formed by othermanufacturing techniques such as molding.

SNIP (Like a Nipper)—Thumb depressible nipper makes precision cuts abreeze, allows easy removal of tag ends, and makes quick work of knotsremaining on eyelets. Conveniently placed thumb dimple improvesergonomics (50 IB+) and allows the upper jaw to flex relative to thelower jaw to snip objects against the forward extending blade end on theblade.

STOW (Like a Hook Keeper)—Utilize the enlarged and inline hook keeperformed as an hourglass opening in the tail end of the fishing tool.Designed to remedy the awkward and slow gear storage experience foundwith traditional (or non-existent) hook keepers.

LINE DYNAMIC—Design Concept utilized to make the fishing toolessentially snagless as well as low profile and convenient—remainingincredibly user intuitive. Compact, low profile, and practicallyweightless

VERSA-MOUNT—Attach anywhere, go anywhere. The fishing tool is designedto seamlessly integrate as a line management tool with a fisherman'smost integral pieces of gear all using the included O-rings forattachment:

1. Securely mount to your rod blank (in front of reel or behind reel onsplit grips)

2. Zippers of clothing and tackle bags

3. Zingers

4. Lanyards

5. Keychains, etc.

EASY GLIDE ENTRY POINT—Seamless line entry point only allows line insidethe jaws intentionally—works like a weedless lure to prevent snags andunintentional cuts

KNOT POP—Precisely shaped fish head allows user to split knots apartthat may be remaining on eyelets.

KNOT ASSIST—Use the fishing tool's eye to stabilize hooks and keep bothhands free when tying knots. In addition, the eye provides a safer andmore effective way to hold your lure when firmly pulling down knots.

RAZORCUT BLADE—Stainless steel coated blades ensure a razor sharp edgelasting thousands of cuts

QUAD-LOCK ATTACHMENT—Attachment is made easy and secure with theQuad-Lock technology—Four point attachment system works in conjunctionwith a concave base to eliminate lateral torsion on rod blank. Alsofeaturing low profile attachment points to eliminate snags.

XTRA-TOUCH O-RINGS—6 total O-rings are included in pairs of small,medium, and large to accommodate nearly all rod diameters and are nearlyindestructible—guaranteed to hold up to the harshest weather extremes.This attachment method is non marring and rock solid.

NEXT-GEN CONSTRUCTION—Advanced polymer body blends strength, durability,and flexibility into one incredibly lightweight material. Intentionallydesigned to be “non-mechanical” (no hinges, springs, etc.) to increaselongevity. Does not become cold to touch and is engineered to withstandrepeated exposure to harsh environmental conditions.

Other objects and purposes of the invention, and variations thereof,will be apparent upon reading the following specification and inspectingthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention relates to a multi-function fishing tool, of which thefollowing is a Specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part hereof.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention showing the fishing toolof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view;

FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view as taken from the bottom right thereof withthe blade omitted for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view as taken from the top right thereof withthe blade omitted;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged front view thereof;

FIG. 9B is a front cross-sectional view of the fishing tool as takenalong line A-A of FIG. 9C wherein the fishing tool is shown mounted, forexample, on a fishing rod;

FIG. 9D is an end cross-sectional view as taken along line B-B of FIG.9A;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the fishingtool of FIG. 9B shown in use on a fishing rod;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the nose of the fishingtool as viewed from the right front;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the fishing tool in use on a rod andstoring the hook such as during storage or transport;

FIG. 13 is a front right perspective view of the fishing tool mounted onthe rod;

FIG. 14 is a rear left perspective view of the fishing tool mounted onthe handle of the fishing rod;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the rod-mounted fishing tool showing use ofthe tool for hook storage and tying of the hook; and

FIG. 16 is a top view of the fishing tool of FIG. 15.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description forconvenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example,the words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “rightwardly” and “leftwardly” willrefer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Thewords “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward andaway from, respectively, the geometric center of the arrangement anddesignated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the wordsspecifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similarimport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a multi-function fishing tool 10 of the presentinvention is designed as a subcompact line management solution takingthe place of larger or separate tools such as knives, scissors, nippers,etc. commonly used when re-rigging fishing gear. The fishing tool 10 asillustrated in the drawings performs multiple functions while providingan aesthetically pleasing design.

Generally, the fishing tool 10 includes a main body 12 that ispreferably shaped in the general aesthetic appearance of a fish. Themain body 12 is configured with various features that not onlycontribute to the aesthetic appearance but also are configured toperform multiple different functions or tasks that are typicallyperformed when the user is fishing. Preferably, the main body is formedof an advanced polymer body that blends strength, durability, andflexibility into one lightweight material. The main body 12 is designedto be “non-mechanical” (no hinges, springs, etc.) to increase longevity,and does not become cold to touch and is engineered to withstandrepeated exposure to harsh environmental conditions.

The fishing tool 10 includes at least one blade 14 wherein a singleblade preferably is provided which performs multiple functions. Inparticular, the blade 14 includes a first portion that forms a cutterblade 15 and a second portion that forms a nipper blade 16. While theblade 14 is configured as a unitary single piece, it will be understoodthat these cutting and nipping functions may be formed by separateblades.

As one function, the cutter blade 15 is configured to slice like aknife, wherein the cutting edge 15A may be arcuate and face generallyforwardly into a hollow body cavity 17. The heavy duty cutting blade 15quickly cuts many fishing line materials and constructions such asmonofilament, fluorocarbon, copolymer, and braided fishing lines (120IB+). The blade 14 preferably is a metal blade made of or comprisingstainless steel and is embedded in the main body 12, preferably byinsertion through a bottom slot 18 (see FIGS. 4, 7 and 8) formed in themain body 12. The blade 14 is fastened or pinned in place by a dowel pinor other fastener 19 that is inserted into a central bore 20 formed inthe main body 12. While the blade 14 is formed separate from the mainbody 12, it will be understood by the skilled artisan that the cuttingand nipping functions could be incorporated integrally into the mainbody 12.

As a further function, the nipper blade 16 is configured to snip like anipper. In more detail, the nose 12A of the main body 12 includes lowerjaw 22 from which the nipper blade 16 projects vertically, and adepressible head section 23, which is flexibly joined to a tail section24 of the main body 12 by a flexible backbone 25. The head section 23defines an upper jaw 26, which normally is spaced vertically from thelower jaw 22 and the nipper blade 16, to define a horizontally elongatethroat 27 that opens rearwardly into the hollow body cavity 17 andforwardly to define a mouth 28 of the head section 23. All of the mouth28, throat 27 and body cavity 17 open sidewardly through both of theopposite sides of the main body 12 so that fishing line or the like canextend sidewardly or transversely through the thickness of the main body12. Basically, the upper jaw 26 includes a flat cutting face 29 thatfaces dowardly toward the cutting edge 16A of the nipper blade 16, suchthat the cutting face 29 and nipper blade 16 are normally spaced apartas shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the head section 23 can be manuallypressed downwardly such as when a user grips the head section 23 andpresses with one part of a hand downwardly on the head section 23 andpresses upwardly on the lower jaw 22 with another part of the hand. Assuch, manual squeezing of the head section 23 in this manner displacesthe upper jaw 26 downwardly into contact with the nipper blade 16. Anyobject such as fishing line 48 (see FIG. 10) will then be nipped orsevered similar to the use of scissors. As such, the upper jaw 26 andlower jaw 22 function together to define a nipper 30 in the head section23.

The backbone 25 flexes to allow such movement of the upper jaw 26 andeffectively defines a living hinge between the head section 23 and tailsection 24. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the backbone is relatively wideand spans the width of the main body 12 so as to resist twisting of thehead section 23 relative to the tail section during nipping. This helpsmaintain the upper jaw 26 in alignment with the lower jaw 22 so that thenipper blade 16 is substantially perpendicular with the cutting face 29.Further, the curvature of the backbone 25 allows line to slid past thefishing tool 10 when rod-mounted to resist snagging of fishing line onthe fishing tool 10.

While one cutting edge 16A is provided, the upper jaw 26 instead couldbe provided with its own respective cutting blade. The depressiblenipper 30 makes precision cuts, allows easy removal of tag ends 48A(FIG. 16) hanging from a knot 48B after tying, and makes quick work ofknots remaining on hook eyelets 55B. A conveniently placed thumb dimple31 is provided on the upper surface of the head section 23 to improveergonomics (50 IB+) and allows the upper jaw to flex relative to thelower jaw 22 to snip objects against the nipper blade 16. Therefore, theprecisely shaped head section 23 allows a user to split knots apart thatmay be remaining on fishing hook eyelets 55B. The backbone 25 flexes toallow such movement of the

In another function, the fishing tool 10 is configured to stow a tiedhook in a manner similar to a hook keeper. In this regard, the tailsection 24 may be formed with a storage opening 34, which has anhourglass shape that defines an enlarged and inline hook keeper the tailsection 24 of the fishing tool 12. As will be described further herein,the storage opening 34 is designed to remedy the awkward and slow gearstorage experience found with traditional (or non-existent) hookkeepers. To strengthen the tail section 24, a projecting rib 35 isprovided, which has the aesthetic appearance of a fin, and has thestructural function of stiffening the tail section 24 in the region ofthe opening 34. As such, the upper wall of the storage opening 34 mightflex or straighten out when pulled on by the fishing line pulling on astored hook, but the rib 35 helps resist such flexing and strengthen theupper wall of opening 34.

Further, the rib 35 is vertically adjacent and next to the upper wall ofthe storage opening 34 such that the rib 35 helps stabilize the backbone25 and resist twisting of the backbone 25 and upper jaw 26 duringnipping, which is desirable as described above. In this manner, the rib35 helps maintain alignment of the nipping blade 16 and cutting face 29.

As a further advantage, the head section 23 further includes an upwardlyprojecting lip or flange 36 that has a terminal end 36A that contactsthe head section 23 proximate the thumb dimple 31. This essentiallycloses the open front end of the mouth 28 and prevents access to thethroat 27 when the head section 23 is in the normal, undepressedcondition of FIG. 1. When the head section 23 is flexed downwardly (suchas by the user squeezing the head section 23), the mouth 28 is openedand fishing line can be slid into the mouth 28, and then the throat 27for nipping, and then slid into the body cavity 17 if so desired forcutting by the cutter blade 15. Preferably, the lip 36 is spacedforwardly of the head section 23 and then curves backwardlyinto contactwith the head section 23. This curvature defines an easy glide orseamless entry point that only allows fishing line inside the upper andlower jaws 26 and 22 when intended by the user since the mouth 28 andthroat 27 are normally closed and works like a weedless lure to preventsnags and unintentional cuts to the fishing line due to inadvertententry into the areas of the cutting blade 15 and nipper blade 16.Further, the overall shape of the main body 12 curves generally from thenose section 12A to the backbone 25, which serves to make the fishingtool 10 essentially snagless, as well as low profile and convenient touse.

As noted, the fishing tool 10 is rod-mountable and may be mounted andremoved from any fishing rod. The main body 12 is formed with aversa-mount system defined by connector formations that may be formed asa plurality and preferably four connector blocks 38 on the bottom edgesof the main body 12. The connector blocks 38 anchor ends 51 of aconnector strap such as resilient O-rings 52 and allow the O-rings 52 towrap about the fishing rod to mount the fishing tool 10 in position. Assuch, the fishing tool 10 can attach anywhere, go anywhere. For example,the axial position along the length of a rod 50, such as near the handleand in front or back of the reel, and the radial position around thecircumference of the rod 50 can be varied as desired by the user.

Further, the fishing tool 10 is configured as a knot assist that helpswith the tying of knots. The head section 23 is provided with an openingor eye 40 that opens through the thickness of the main body 12. A usercan use the fishing tool's eye 40 to stabilize hooks and keep both handsfree when tying knots. In addition, the eye 40 provides a safer and moreeffective way to hold your lure when firmly pulling down knots.

The fishing tool 10 is designed to seamlessly integrate as a linemanagement tool with an angler's most integral pieces of gear all usingincluded O-rings for attachment. As will described, the fishing tool 10can securely mount to your rod blank (in front of reel or behind reel onsplit grips) such as by using the O-rings 52, and also on zippers ofclothing and tackle bags, zingers, lanyards, keychains, etc. such as byusing connectors looped through the openings 34 or 40.

As generally described above, the fishing tool 10 allows the user toaccomplish multiple different tasks. In more detail, the main body 12 ispreferably formed as a integral or single piece that is assembledtogether with the metal blade 14. Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the mainbody 12 is preferably formed with the blade slot 18 that allowsinsertion of the blade 14 into the main body 12 from below andsecurement therein. It will be understood that the blade and cuttingfunctions might be integrated into the main body 12.

The blade 14 includes the cutter blade 15 and nipper blade 16, which arejoined together by an intermediate blade body 41. The slot 18 isaccessible through the bottom surface of the main body 12 and has afirst slot section 18A that extends into the main body to surround theback portion of the body cavity 17 with the cutting blade 15 projectingoutwardly from the first slot section 18A and exposed within the bodycavity 17. The slot 18 also has a second slot section 18B that extendsforwardly into the lower jaw 22, wherein the nipper blade 16 is exposed.

As seen in FIGS. 9C and 9D, the blade 14 essentially is aligned with thecenterline of the main body 12 and includes the pin bore 20 forreceiving the pin 19. The slot sections 18A and 18B help to limitdeformation of the thin blade 14 laterally or sideways within the mainbody 12. The blade 14 may also include a fastener bore 41 through whichthe pin 19 is inserted during assembly.

The blade 14 is installed by inserting or nosing the nipper blade 16into the second slot section 18B and swinging or pivoting the cutterblade 15 upwardly into the first slot section 18A, at which time theblade 14 can be pinned or secured in a fixed position by inserting thepin 19 into the fastener bore 20 such that the pin 19 extends laterallythrough the blade pin bore 41. Other fastening means may also be used orthe blade 14 may be molded into the main body 12, or a blade may bemounted to an exterior of the main body 12 without departing from thepresent invention.

In more detail, the main body 12 is formed so that the second slotsection 18B includes a front shoulder 43 having a front wall 44 andbottom shoulder surface 45. The shoulder surface 45 is configured to lieclose to and intermittently support a bottom blade edge 16B during use.The main body 12 also includes a transverse bridge 46 in the slot 18between the first and second slot sections 18A and 18B. When the blade14 is installed, the nipper blade 16 is inserted into the second slotsection 18B and the pivoted upwardly with the nipper blade 16 pivotingon the front shoulder 43 until the cutter blade 15 moves into and seatswithin the first slot section 18A. Once seated in position, the pin 19is installed and the blade 14 is secured in the slot 18.

Once installed, the pin 19 defines a first contact point that in effectis a pivot point for the blade 14 when cutting and nipping. Whencutting, the upper blade edge 14A contacts the bottom surface of thebridge 46, which defines a second contact point that in effect is afulcrum point for the larger cutting blade 15.

When the blade 14 is in the normal installed position, the bottom bladeedge 16B is spaced a small distance from the shoulder surface 45 as seenin the detail view of FIG. 10. For nipping, the blade section 16C ineffect defines a flex point, wherein the nipper blade 16 can alwaysself-align because of the gap between blade edge 16B and shouldersurface 45. This gives the nipper blade 16 a shear action regardless ofwhere along the edgewise axial length of the nipper blade 16 that linematerial is being cut when depressing the head section 23.

As noted above, the head section 23 has a front-facing surface 23A thatcontacts the terminal end 36A of the front lip 36 that thereby controlsaccess to the mouth 28, throat 27 and body cavity 17. The terminal end36A normally contacts the head surface 23A as seen in FIG. 10 and closesaccess to the mouth 28. When the head section 23 is depressed to openthe mouth 28, the fishing line 48 can enter the mouth 28 generally asshown by position P1. The fishing line 48 then moves to position P2 inthe throat 27 and may be nipped in position P3 by the nipper blade 16,or be moved to the body cavity 17 for cutting by the cutter blade 15 inposition P4. As seen in FIG. 11, the nipper blade 16 preferably has ablade nose 49 formed with a flat radius or curvature that prevents cutsto the fishing line 48 or line abrasion due to movement of the line 48through the throat 27 which potentially may cause dragging of thefishing line 48 over the blade nose 49.

As noted, the fishing tool 10 is removably mountable to a fishing rod 50as shown in FIG. 12. The main body 12 is formed with connector blocks 38that project sidewardly and anchor ends 51 of O-rings 52 and allow theO-rings to wrap about the fishing rod to mount the fishing tool 10 inposition. This four point attachment system works in conjunction with aconcave base surface 54 as seen in FIGS. 9C and 9D to eliminate lateraltorsion on rod 50 and maintain the fishing 10 in axial alignment withthe rod axis.

Also the connector blocks 38 define low profile attachment points toeliminate snags. As seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, one end 51 of each O-ring52 is hooked on one connector block 38 and then the O-ring 52 isstretched around the rod 50 and the other O-ring end 51 is hooked ontothe connector block 38 on the opposite side of the main body 12. Theconnector blocks 38 are provided with smooth, arcuate channels 53 tosnugly receive the O-ring ends 52 without cutting or marring the surfacethereof. This provides tight fitting attachment of the fishing tool 10on the rod 50 at virtually any axial position and virtually any radialposition about the rod circumference. Preferably, the fishing tool 10 issold with a kit of six total O-rings 51 of different sizes, which may beincluded in pairs of small, medium, and large to accommodate nearly allrod diameters, wherein the O-rings 52 and are nearly indestructible andhold up to the harshest weather extremes. This attachment method is nonmarring.

As noted, the tail end 24 includes the opening or aperture 34 forreceiving a hook 55 already tied onto the fishing line 48. The end wallof the opening 34 serves as a storage formation that essentially definesa hook keeper. This aperture 34 is hourglass shaped and has a relativelylarge length corresponding to the length of a hooked portion 55A so thatthe hooked portion 55A can be inserted sidewardly into the aperture 34and then pulled axially under line tension to the stored position ofFIGS. 15 and 16. This hook movement is generally identified by referencearrow 56 (FIG. 16). As such, the aperture 34 and end wall function as aline keeper for tied hooks 55. If there is substantial line tension, theupper wall of the opening 34 might tend to flex, but the upper wall isstrengthened and rigidified by the adjacent fin-shaped rib 35.

However, it may be necessary to tie the fishing line 48 to an untiedhook 55-1. The aperture 34, however, is relatively large and the untiedhook 55-1 would tend to easily fall out in the absence of line tension,such that the aperture 34 does not provide much benefit or assistance inthe tying of fishing line 48. However, the eye 40 is provided, which isrelatively small and requires that the untied hook 55-1 be manipulatedinto the eye 40. This then helps hold the hook 55-1 on the fishing tool10 and then the fishing line 48 can be more easily tied onto the hook55-1 as seen in FIGS. 15 and 16 after tying is completed. The eye 40serves as a hook anchor that holds the hook during knot tying.Typically, the fishing line 48 is slack during this task and the hook55-1 can then be readily removed from the eye 40 once tied. Once tyingis complete, the line slack is reeled in and the hook keeper 34 can thenbe used, whereby the hook is now tied and designated as tied hook 55.

The inventive fishing tool 10 is particularly suitable for use inassociation with the performance of fishing and other similaractivities, and more particularly, serves as a rod-mountable fishingtool 10 that is usable mounted or off of a fishing rod 50. The fishingtool 10 exhibits an integrated aesthetic appearance wherein aestheticshapes and features also can serve multiple functions associated withtasks typically performed while fishing, such as cutting of lines,nipping of knots and other severable materials, tying of knots, storageof hooks and lines and other tasks.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has beendisclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognizedthat variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, includingthe rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed:
 1. A fishing tool comprising: a main body having acutting blade and a nipping blade; said main body further comprising: atail section: a head section flexibly joined to said tail section; alower jaw defined on said main body; an upper jaw defined on said headsection in spaced relation from said lower jaw to define an open throatin which said nipping blade is located for nipping by movement of saidhead section; and said throat opening into a mouth into which fishingline may be slid for insertion into said throat, and opening into a bodycavity in which said cutting blade is locating for cutting of saidfishing line by displacement of said fishing line against said cuttingblade.
 2. The fishing tool according to claim 1, wherein said cuttingblade and said nipping blade are formed as a single blade.
 3. Thefishing tool according to claim 2, wherein said main body includes aslot and said single blade fixed in said slot to position said cuttingblade in said body cavity and position said nipping blade in saidthroat.
 4. The fishing tool according to claim 1, wherein said main bodyincludes connector formations for removably mounting said fishing toolon a fishing rod.
 5. The fishing tool according to claim 4, wherein saidconnector formations comprise at least one pair of connector blocks thatproject sidewardly and engage opposite ends of a connector member tosecure said fishing tool on a fishing rod.
 6. The fishing tool accordingto claim 5, wherein said connector blocks include respective grooveswhich receive looped ends of said connector member.
 7. The fishing toolaccording to claim 6, wherein the connector strap is formed as an O-ringand said main body includes connector blocks to secure one or more saidO-rings.
 8. The fishing tool according to claim 1, wherein said mainbody includes an eye configured to support a hook without manualsupport.
 9. The fishing tool according to claim 1, wherein said mainbody includes a support aperture configured to anchor a hook undertension by a fishing line.
 10. The fishing tool according to claim 8,wherein said main body includes a support aperture configured to anchora hook under tension by a fishing line, said eye being located on saidhead section and said support aperture being located on said tailsection.
 11. The fishing tool according to claim 1, wherein said mainbody includes a front lip having a terminal end which is normally incontact with said head section and is separable therefrom duringmovement of said head section to permit fishing line to be slid intosaid mouth and then into said throat for nipping or into said bodycavity for cutting.
 12. A fishing tool comprising: a main body having acutting blade and a nipping blade; said main body further comprising: atail section provided with a support formation engagable with a hookunder tension by a fishing line; a head section flexibly joined to saidtail section by a flexible backbone; a body cavity defined adjacent saidbackbone between said head section and said tail section, said cuttingblade being located with said body cavity and having a fixed edge forcutting of fishing line extending through said body cavity a lower jawdefined on said main body which includes said nipping blade; an upperjaw defined on said head section in spaced relation from said lower jawto define an open throat in which said nipping blade is located fornipping by movement of upper jaw of said head section toward said lowerjaw; said throat opening into a mouth into which fishing line may beslid for insertion into said throat for said nipping and opening intosaid body cavity in which said cutting blade is located for cutting ofsaid fishing line by displacement of said fishing line against saidcutting blade.
 13. The fishing tool according to claim 12, wherein saidcutting blade and said nipping blade are formed as a single blade, saidmain body including a slot and said single blade is fixed in said slotto position said cutting blade in said body cavity and position saidnipping blade in said throat.
 14. The fishing tool according to claim12, wherein said main body includes connector blocks for removablymounting said fishing tool on a fishing rod, said connector blocksprojecting sidewardly and engaging opposite ends of a connector strap tosecure said fishing tool on a fishing rod.
 15. The fishing toolaccording to claim 14, wherein said connector blocks include respectivegrooves which receive looped ends of the connector strap, said connectorstrap being formed as an O-ring and said main body including connectorblocks to secure one or more said O-rings.
 16. The fishing toolaccording to claim 12, wherein said head section includes an eyeconfigured to support a hook without manual support.
 17. The fishingtool according to claim 16, wherein said tail section includes a supportaperture configured to anchor a hook under tension by a fishing line.18. The fishing tool according to claim 12, wherein said tail sectionincludes a support aperture configured to anchor a hook under tension bya fishing line, said main body including a projecting rib on said tailsection adjacent said support aperture to rigidify a wall of saidaperture when tensioned by said hook and said fishing line.
 19. Thefishing tool according to claim 12, wherein said main body includes afront lip having a terminal end which is normally in contact with saidhead section and is separable therefrom during movement of said headsection to permit fishing line to be slid into said mouth and then intosaid throat for nipping or into said body cavity for cutting.
 20. Thefishing tool according to claim 12, wherein said tail section includes aprojecting rib and said backbone spans a width of said main body tomaintain alignment of said upper jaw and said nipping blade of saidlower jaw during flexing of said backbone.